Namaste India!

Welcome to Writers Adda, a space where we sit down for a chat with some of the gems of the Indian Writing Community and get candid with them about their journey on Wattpad.

Joining us this time is sathu98.

But before we get started, check out a 250-word excerpt of their Desi Indian story, "The Other Princess," on our AmbassadorsIN Stories Anthology.

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sathu98: Romance, Historical Fiction are my most favourite genres.

magicallovely, authornarmada and akiimarvelous - I would read their stories anyday, anytime, whenever I get the time.

sathu98: I used to write and publish stories on another well-known website almost 10 years ago. Me and few other writers didn't get the response we expected, and that's when one of us came across Wattpad. We all quickly decided to move into Wattpad and use it to publish all the stories we wrote. It did take us some time but not too long to see the love and the support we were looking for.

Today I can proudly say that I am glad I decided to move to Wattpad. My stories have been featured on various genre profiles, won a few privately held community competitions. The response and the love that my stories have been receiving is unbelievable. I'm glad I found Wattpad - it really helped me find the writer in me.

sathu98: I mostly write my stories in English.

I do believe that the choice of words I use has a strong connection to story telling. Since I am writing an Indian historical fiction set in the Mahabharat era, I have to be conscious of the word use, where I omit any kind of modern slangs and phrases like 'What's up?' or any modern cusswords. Overall, I would say the choice of words and the style of writing has to be 'era-appropriate.

sathu98: Since I mostly write Indian historical fiction set in the Mahabharat or Ramayana era, it's important I immerse myself into that era. Few years back I discovered that having a specially curated Spotify playlist does wonders. I have a few playlists for each story setting, whether its ancient Indian, 21st Century, or pure unadulterated love making etc. I do have a track for my ongoing work The Other Princess which has songs from Mahabharat TV shows and songs from period films like Jodha Akbar, Bajirao Mastani, Ponniyin Selvan 1 & 2, Kalank, Karthikeya 1 & 2 etc (the list in endless)

And I do have one more ritual. My sister finds it amusing, to be honest. So, I light up some sandalwood fragranced incense sticks while I start writing. It might sound crazy but it's important to ensure your transported to the era where your story is set. Sandalwood incense sticks really helps!

sathu98: Inspiration has multiple sources. It can be while I'm watching a movie, or reading another author's works, or even doing something as ordinary as possible - like watering the plants. I get ideas all of a sudden and so randomly.

There was this time when I was in the church with my friend and when I was lighting up the candles at the altar, the most mind-blowing quote came to my head. I won't reveal it right now, but definitely it's saved for one of the upcoming chapters of The Other Princess.

I carry a small notebook in my pocket - I call it the Purple Diary (because it's cute, compact and purple) to note down any ideas, quotes that come into my head. I refer to that book whenever I sit down with my laptop to write.

sathu98: I don't have anyone in mind. But my mission is simple, I want to write about characters from Indian Mythology and Indian History who didn't get much spotlight and give a refreshing retelling of that story. If anyone wants to work on such a story, do let me know. I'd be happy to collaborate!

Thank you so much for joining us for this interview, sathu98! 

We really appreciate you taking the time to share your insights with the community.